He’s likely to captivate viewers across the country — and those in the auditorium in Tampa — as much as a political neophyte from Alaska did four years ago. Audiences were intrigued by Sarah Palin because she was an unknown commodity.

Thanks to 5 million or so views of YouTube chronicles of Christie’s close encounters with friend and foe, they’ll have a good idea of what to expect from the brash, blunt governor. His unvarnished tone and unfiltered temper have won him many fans beyond New Jersey.

Christie’s prominence in the Republican presidential campaign follows frenzied wooing by GOP leaders pleading with him to become their candidate. When the governor decided against that route, campaigning instead for Romney, he was among Romney’s top choices for a running mate.

The common criticism was that Christie’s personality and confrontational style would overshadow Romney. But the Romney-Ryan ticket is wise to tap into the great wealth of Christie’s appeal.

Romney is also taking a page from the Christie playbook with promises of an “American Comeback” that echo Christie’s much-vaunted “Jersey Comeback.”

Never mind that there are serious doubts about the validity and the reach of that comeback in the Garden State. Revenues anticipated by the administration have not materialized, and the governor has not been able to push through his state income tax cut. Those in the eroding middle class might disagree that the governor has been “looking out for hardworking taxpayers.” And unemployment is stubbornly lodged above 9 percent.

Still, campaigns are made of platitudes, and a Jersey comeback and national sequel are solid-sounding slogans. Even as the narrative of Christie’s accomplishments may be amplified beyond the facts, Christie’s presence on the national stage is good for the state. As New Jersey’s chief executive and chief advocate, he could help New Jersey gain more leverage in getting a better return on the tax dollars we send to Washington, D.C. That rate of return now is among the lowest in the country.

And positioning Christie is a canny strategy by Republicans anxious to take back the White House. Should Romney fail to win in November, the GOP will have a prime candidate in waiting with the eminently recognizable Christie.

Christie and GOP strategists may also be looking at Democratic history in setting the stage. It’s worth remembering that in 2004, the Democrats chose a compelling and charismatic speaker to deliver their keynote address.